The Atlantean Nutcracker (A TSONA Holiday Special)

Chapter 2: Twilight Magic

Maria was fast asleep in her bed that night. She could hardly wait for tomorrow morning where she could share her Christmas with her handsome nutcracker. 

However, when the clock struck midnight, she heard a scratching noise, echoing in the dark. She wondered what it could be. Curious, she slipped out of her room, still in her nightie, and made her way to the living room. 

The fire was now out, reduced to a smoldering pile of embers. The Christmas tree no longer twinkled, looking faded in the newfound darkness. The scene made Maria feel a little frightened.

Her fear worsened when the scratching noise that had brought her out of bed resumed, becoming louder now. Then, all of a sudden, there was a low rumble on the ground as the room shook with a mighty tremor. Maria fell to her knees, alarmed. As she looked up, she thought she saw a small sparkle cross the corner of her eye.

She looked back up at the Christmas tree, all the way up to the very top, where the star rested. It seemed to be climbing higher and higher above her...as a matter of fact, the whole tree seemed to be growing. Along with the toys and presents underneath the tree, and even the chairs, tables, and fireplace itself was growing in size. It was then Maria realized that the room had not grown: she had shrunk!

She glanced around, trying to determine what was going on when she heard a loud creak behind her. She made the mistake of turning to face it, where the face of a wooden rocking horse was barreling down on her. With a squeal, she raced away from it to avoid being squashed, only to run facefirst into some plush surface. When she looked up to see it, the beady eyes of an evil clown doll met her gaze. Scared again, Maria took off in a run in the other direction. 

As she ran, she didn't pay attention to where she was stepping and stumbled upon an enlarged pair of roller skates, which she involuntarily sped down the hall of presents with until she landed with a crash into the Christmas tree, tangled in the decorative golden wreath and coated with pine needles. 

Just when things couldn't get any worse, the tree's light's suddenly flickered on, shedding light onto the scene. Up ahead, Maria saw the silhouette of a figure approaching her. She struggled to escape, but to no avail. At last, she stopped struggling and accepted her fate. But it was then when the figure stepped right in front of her, and she recognized the handsome blue eyes, brown hair, and red suit. Could it be...?

With a swing of his sword, the figure cut Maria down from the wreath and helped her up. Now face-to-face, Maria could confirm her suspicions. It was her beloved nutcracker doll, come to life!

"Maria, I want to thank you for your kindness," he said, bowing his head and kissing her hand. At that one action, the little girl was no longer frightened. In the newfound twinkling of the Christmas lights, her nutcracker looked more handsome and dashing than ever. 

Before she knew it, the nutcracker was leading her through the wonders of Toyland. From spinning tops to horse-drawn sleighs and everything in between. It was all of Maria's fantasies come true, all in one magical night. The best part of it all was that she got to share it all with her charming nutcracker prince.

"Oh, I wish this night would never end," she thought to herself as she pair-skated alongside the nutcracker in candy-cane skates under a powdered sugar snow. "It's everything I could've ever wanted! What flaw could there be?"

However, little did Maria know, for every light that shines, there is always a shadow. And this particular shadow was just about to strike...

Oh, GOD, I think we all know who THIS is. *walks out of the room* Hey, Nega! You got any extra cheese and mousetraps? I think we're gonna need 'em!